St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township held its first catechists’ orientation session this year.
Maritza Irizarry, Family Faith Formation associate for St. Vincent’s, organized the session for about 24 people. Father Yojaneider Garcia, director of the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation for the Paterson Diocese, and Joana Schmidt, associate director of catechesis, stopped for a visit.
Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, and Father Garcia began with a blessing for catechists. Dr. Steve Serafin, executive director of Faith & Family Life Catholic Ministries, led a workshop for experienced and new catechists. Father Garcia and Schmidt joined catechists in small group discussions.
